I heard this at workplace yesterday that now if you want to apply for Ausweis C , you have to provide the Immigration Authority a prove of German Proficiency Test at 60% at level B1 from a Deutsch Schule. Does anyone get more information on this ?

Never heard of any such rule change.

Not sure if this varies from canton to canton, but I didn't have to provide one. I got my C permit in St. Gallen a few months ago. I did call to ask though, and they told me that I should at least go do the application in person, in German. Which just meant going there to say that I'd like to apply for a C permit and giving all of my forms.

It's mandatory if you're applying for an early permit, if you have to wait 10 years but you apply after 5. I'm Canadian so I was able to apply after 5 years.

In Zug, non-EUs (US excluded) that want to apply for a after 5 years need to have a language certificate, provide a criminal record extract, letter from employer and a cover letter stating reason you are applying. The requirements and language certificate level needed are listed on the application form.

Non-EU (US and Canada excluded) would imply that you're applying early, since normally you have to wait 10 years. So the same applies in St. Gallen, the language certificate is a requirement on the form.

What I had to supply as a Canadian applying after 5 years:
- Gesuch Niederlassungsbewilligung form B3
- Auszug from the Betreibungsregister, less than one month old
- Paper from Sozialamt saying I haven't received social assistance
- Police record, ordered from the post office
- B-permit renewal form, all filled in
- Photo

After 2-3 weeks I had my new permit in the mail (which was by the way a very happy day for me )

As an American married to an EU citizen living in ZH, I did not have to prove German proficiency, but did the rest of the other paperwork. I'm not really sure why I didn't have to.... because I was expecting to.

It can change from case to case basis.

In my case,
- letter of motivation
- salary slips
- Judiciary extract (to ensure no criminal record)
- Debt check
- Certificate indicating minimum B1 language proficiency in French

After submitting all that, its been 6 months the file is stuck in Bern.
I have given up caring.

Americans have special agreements and get their C permit after 5 years.

I was pretty surprised, given all of the flack with tax evasion issues, etc. But I guess with Polanski we can now call it even??

The form for the other folk is different and was called something like "NV" standing for Niederlassungsbewilligung Vorzeitigeerteilt. I hope this helps. I can't offer much more help and can't type lots with a baby on my lap

I am a non-EU in Zurich and got my C permit after 5 years by applying through VINTA.

In my case I got my C permit within a week's time after submitting all the forms and German Proficiency Certificate.

what is VINTA?

US citizens have a strict entitlement to a C-Permit after 10 years residency, I don't believe it is so concrete for Canadian citizens.

I have seen cases for Non EU, needing passing A2 level test (offered by Goethe Inst.).

Isn't that five years residency? Or am I thinking you're simply entitled to apply after five years...?

There was talk from the SVP about this. Maybe your colleague was referring to these discussions?

I think this has been discussed many times, and it's even stickied. US and Canadian citizens are entitled to a C-permit after 5 years.


Quote from Shorrik's sticky:

In July in Zurich city, I renewed my EU resident B permit and asked the clerk what the difference was between a B and a C. The criminal and debt checks were required but no language proficiency.
The other difference was C permits not taxed at source and the ability to leave Switzerland for 2 years and keep your permit rather than 6 months.
C permit only lasts 5 years same as a B. A C permit will help non EU residents finding new apartments I was told, and taht was about it.

You can apply to 'upgrade' to a C pemit either straight away or at any time after you have had your B renewed.

But you are non EU and non Zurich city (?) so I guess you need to ask someone in Glattbrug from your part of the world.

Cheers,
HB

VINTA is the law according to which non-EU could apply for C permit after 5 years compared to usual 10 years.

Thanks for all inputs. Think i have to take German book to refresh my skills before the time coming.